Fun in the Sun at the Downtown Raleigh Festival Of Hope!

An estimated 3,000 people turned out for a day of free family fun and to celebrate Raleigh Rescue Mission's 50 years of service to the poor and homeless on Saturday, May 7 at the Downtown Raleigh Festival of Hope.  Kids and adults enjoyed games, live music, giant inflatables, tours of the Mission, ice cream, barbecue, hot dogs, cotton candy and more during the event. Attendees consumed 745 pounds of barbecue and cast their vote for the best barbecue in town.  White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken took home the "Best of the Best" award and also won the "Crowd Pleaser" contest. Folks also donated about 200 pounds of paper products to help build our "Paper Palace" during the event. Thanks to all the volunteers, donors and the community for helping make the Downtown Raleigh Festival of Hope a great event!